Design

Designing beautiful white kitchens

White kitchens have been a staple in homes for as long as we can remember. White is oftentimes associated with light, goodness, and cleanliness. It’s no wonder that we gravitate toward the color white when choosing a kitchen color scheme. There are a few secrets to keep in mind when designing beautiful white kitchens.

Timeless elements

A classic kitchen calls for timeless elements. Commercial grade appliances like Jenn-Air and Sub-Zero Wolf make a style difference and improve the efficiency of the kitchen. Incorporating natural stone such as Calacatta Marble in the kitchen helps to keep the kitchen ageless through the course of a lifetime. Marble also reflects light which helps make the space even brighter. Keep your kitchen sophisticated with customized storage solutions. Custom cabinetry provides each homeowner with a unique design unlike any other. Using integrated or hidden appliances helps to give a kitchen a seamless look.

Create contrasts

Give your kitchen some edge by mixing materials. Create contrasts against crisp white cabinets by using a variety of wood and finishes. A dark wooden island pops against a largely white kitchen and draws the eye. Don’t be afraid to play with materials like wood and glass to create contrasts and add depth to the space. Internationally recognized Kitchen Designer, Mick De Giulio is a fan of mixing materials, “Mixing materials such as sleek stainless-steel elements and glass in an otherwise rustic or traditional setting can be unexpected and more interesting. I like to look at a kitchen in the same way I would a living or dining room when it comes to mixing elements and finishes.”

Pop of Color

Use color to break up the space. In an all-white kitchen, you can use curtains, accessories, and accent pieces to add a pop of color. Bright accessories and patterns add some fun to traditional white kitchens. If you prefer the “clean and simple” sleek look, opt for soft greys and neutral toned fabrics. Playful floors such as black and white checkered or diagonal cut tiles can also be used to add a pop of color to the room.

Statement Pieces

Create a fun focal point by incorporating a statement piece in your kitchen. The focal point can range from a single item like a colored island, to a statement wall. Patterned ceramic tile or wallpaper can be used to create a beautiful accent wall in the kitchen. Consider a distinguished backsplash such as stainless steel to add glitz to any white kitchen. Don’t forget the ceilings! Consider adding coffered or tray ceilings to add depth to the kitchen.

Open Up

Use an open concept floor plan to create a functional gathering space for friends and family. Create an open and spacious room by merging the kitchen and dining area. While you’re opening your home, consider opening your shelves. Open shelving can be used to display decorative dishes and glassware. One of the many benefits of an open floor plan is that it eliminates walls that reduce natural daylight. Allow for plenty of natural light to enter your kitchen through windows. Ambient lighting can also be incorporated into the kitchen with featured lighting fixtures. De Giulio suggests, “Combining decorative and practical lighting to make a harmonious and functional design.”

White kitchens are anything but boring and still remain the kitchen color of choice. Sixty-seven percent of National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) members said that white is their top choice for cabinets. There is something to be said about a classic, crisp white kitchen that wows the crowd.

Technology and Trends

Kitchens have recently become smarter, faster, and more efficient than ever before. Morris Black Designs has explored the latest kitchen technology and trends this year. Technology has infiltrated the kitchen, benefitting homeowners in more ways than one. Smart phone apps allow users to control their appliances remotely, making it possible to preheat your oven from the grocery store. Some trends you’ll see throughout the year include more greys and energy efficient lighting options.

Tap into Technology

Today’s kitchen is the kitchen of the future. With top of the line technology readily available, smart kitchens are on the rise. Touch activated faucets are one of the latest fads on the market that save us when we have sticky fingers from baking. Sensor activated lights are used to illuminate the kitchen upon entering, lowering your electric bill. We now have access to thermometers that notify you via smartphone when your dinner is done. Automated appliances are here to make your home life easier.

Gadgets

For the trendy homeowner, gadgets are all the rage. For those who love to cook, but require a little assistance, smart kitchen gadgets have you covered. The Sous Vide precise cooker, vacuum seals your food in a bag and then allows you to cook it to the perfect temperature in hot water. Another helpful gadget is the Egg Minder smart egg tray. This device syncs via Wi-Fi so you can use your phone to check how many eggs you have left at home. This egg tray also lets you know how fresh your eggs are using LED lights, making trips to the grocery store that much easier.

Focus on Functionality

It is important for your kitchen to be as functional as it is beautiful. Microwave drawers are gaining popularity due to their advantages over the traditional microwave location. Installing a microwave drawer below counter height makes it more accessible to all members of the household. A perfect kitchen should be functional and energy efficient using technology and trends. By replacing traditional light bulbs with LED lights (Light Emitting Diodes), you can save money on electric bills. LEDs are 90% more efficient than traditional incandescent light bulbs and have a significantly longer life span.

Quartz is In

The demand for quartz is rising with new colors and affordable options readily available. Engineered stone (Quartz) is a durable, non-porous material that blends the look and feel of natural stone with superior performance. Quartz is a great choice requiring no maintenance and resistance to heat and spills. At Morris Black Designs, we offer Quartz from Silestone, Cambria, and Zodiaq giving homeowners endless options to choose from.

Smart Storage Solutions

You can never have enough storage space. Kitchen storage has been a long time issue for homeowners, especially those with compact kitchens. Custom cabinetry allows you to maximize storage space with built in drawer organizers, roll out shelving, and designated spice drawers. A clutter-free kitchen gives the illusion of a larger space.

Mix Materials

Mixing materials is a fashion forward concept. Integrating wooden countertops with natural stone countertops is the perfect way to combine the warmth of wood with cool stone. Don’t be afraid to play with materials such as wood, glass, and tile to create contrasts in the kitchen.

Embrace Neutrals

By keeping the kitchen neutral, it allows you to add color and texture with accessories that can easily be swapped out over time. Grey, black, and white are still the most popular tones used in the kitchen. One trend that continues to gain momentum is the use of the color grey. The color is not a passing trend and according to HGTV, grey is the new white. Grey is a neutral color that can enhance and intensify any other color making it versatile and a perfect color choice.

Looking for a kitchen update? Bring your kitchen into the 21st century by requesting a design consultation here.

The Lehigh Valley

The Lehigh Valley is the fastest growing and third most populous region in the state of Pennsylvania and is home to over 820,000 residents. The Lehigh Valley is located 90 miles west of New York City and 60 miles northwest of Philadelphia, making it an ideal location for living. Many original homes date back to the 1800s, making kitchen renovations common among residents. Morris Black Designs decided to look into the components found in popular kitchens in the Lehigh Valley.

Storage is Key

When looking into kitchen renovation wish lists, these kitchen cabinet upgrades are on the top of the list. The most popular kitchen cabinet upgrades in the Lehigh valley include: pullout waste and recycling cabinets, a cookie sheet organizer, and revolving corner trays (lazy susans) designed to fit your everyday cooking needs. Custom cabinetry provides us with the luxury of these must have storage spaces. According to Houzz, white cabinetry remains the most popular choice for kitchen cabinet colors with wood (light, medium and dark) in second place. Kitchens in the Lehigh Valley are no exception to this trend.

Wish List items

Stone counters, walk-in pantries, and central kitchen islands top the list of kitchen features desired most by American homeowners including the Lehigh Valley. Homeowners with children want maintenance free materials to keep their kitchens looking clean. Engineered Stone (Quartz) is becoming popular due to its durability and low maintenance factors. We also found that many homeowners are willing to sacrifice the size of their kitchen for a spacious walk-in pantry. Long gone are the days where people gather around the kitchen table for every meal. We discovered that many families are opting for a large kitchen island with seating instead.

Modern Must haves

Higher end appliances like Sub-Zero and Wolf are trending upward as more families are utilizing their kitchens. Higher end appliances appeal to the modern chef due to their sleek look and ability to fit seamlessly with the design of the kitchen. People also want to stay connected in the kitchen by utilizing built in charging stations and charging drawers for their wireless devices. Microwave drawers are another luxury that we’ve been seeing more and more in the area. Installing a microwave below counter height makes it easier to access and takes up less wall space.

Keep it Contemporary

Mixing kitchen styles has become more popular in recent years. According to a survey conducted by the National Kitchen & Bath Association, contemporary kitchens have surpassed traditional kitchens to become the second most popular North American kitchen design. Transitional kitchen designs still take home the prize for most popular. We continue to see mixed styles emerge such as rustic contemporary, mid-century modern, and industrial.

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Sometimes the design solutions we create extend beyond a homeowner’s kitchen. Julia Burfeind told us that her nearly 20-year-old kitchen was awkward for entertaining guests, and that the mud/laundry room was not functional and the adjacent sunroom was not being used. Morris Black Designs resolved all three issues.

“By itself the kitchen is fantastic,” Julia said after the renovation. “We have a really large island now where we have four comfortable stools where people can sit and relax while others cook which is exactly what we wanted, so this big new island works great for us.”

Morris Black also opened the kitchen to the sunroom and, with an added dining room table and a wet bar, the space is much more useful. They also bumped out the laundry room behind the kitchen. “We build four big storage lockers in our mudroom for the kids’ gym bags and sports stuff.” Said Julia. “And we have the great big, beautiful, sunny laundry room with a door and a window and a skylight and a big granite countertop where I can fold clothes.”

As much as she loves the distinct improvements made to each individual space, Burfeind will quickly tell you, however, that this project is truly an example of when the whole is greater than the sum of its parts

“The whole house is just much more usable now,” she surmises. “The work done by Morris Black Designs has really increased our daily satisfaction of being in the house which is fun and makes it all worthwhile.”

Check out the clever way that Morris Black Designs kitchen designer Dan Lenner was able to create a stunning, yet fully usable kitchen within the existing tight quarters of Jay Brew’s historic Victorian home in Bethlehem.

“I live in an old Victorian home built in 1895 and in those old Victorian houses they really did not put a lot of space in the kitchens. The kitchen tended to be just a table, a stove and a sink,” said Brew.

“Dan Lenner is just a genius in my opinion because he had the challenge of putting a full working kitchen into this very small space,” continues Brew, praising Lenner. “From the very get go, Dan was fantastic and I would recommend him to anyone going through a kitchen process as well as any project that requires thoughtful design. In fact, after our kitchen was done, we brought him back to design a whole bar for us.”

Dad noticed all the custom door carvings in the home, and designed a custom door to match which was used on the new cabinets.

“It added a unique feature to the kitchen that we would never have thought of on our own. You wouldn’t get something like this if you went to like Home Depot or Lowe’s to get your kitchen redone,” said Brew. “Not even close.”

In addition to being extremely impressed with the ideas and design skills of Dan, Brew was overly impressed by the way Morris Black Designs stuck to its installation schedule and brought Dan’s vision to life in a timely fashion.

“Morris Black Designs gave us a schedule for each installation – the cabinets, the countertops –all of that. And they stuck to that schedule perfectly. The entire installation took a week and a half, and each phase happened exactly when they told us it would.”

“We went from a nonfunctional kitchen to one that’s now totally functional, and incredibly it also looks like a show kitchen. I would recommend to everyone that they use Morris Black Designs.”

Our very own Pennsylvania tradition of rodent weather prediction has determined that with spring-like weather on the way, 2016 will be a particularly good year to remodel your home. In fact, Morris Black Designs’ Allentown showroom is an excellent place to start. Our Designers can fortell the latest trends in kitchen design, and can recommend the right cabinetry, tile, appliances and design that will fit your style and budget. We predict that you’ll be pleased with the result!

In fact, the Transitional kitchen pictured here was designed by Christine. Here’s what she had to say:

“A transitional kitchen feels neither traditional nor contemporary, says Christine Shorr, AKBD (associate kitchen and bath designer), but rather, it could go either way with the right accent pieces. “I’ve seen this trend over the last few years and it will keep moving more in this direction,” says Shorr. A transitional-style kitchen works well in a house that’s full of antiques, and it works well in a house that embraces modern design.”

Christine estimates that 50% of the kitchens created by Morris Black Designs are Transitional kitchens. Not sure what your style is? Talk to Christine or any of the other Morris Black designers. Helping clients identify their personal style is one thing they all enjoy doing!

In fact, any place where custom cabinetry is needed: built-in bookshelves, laundries, dens, home theatres and home offices are common, but we’ve also customized a dog grooming area in a garage, a home office in a bedroom (including a custom headboard and clothes storage) and an entryway for a large family with lockers, coat hooks and boot storage.

Fireplace surrounds are especially fun for our designers, as they get to design storage for the homeowners’ books or display shelves for collections, plus classic mantles and tile or granite at the fireplace opening. A traditional example by Dan Lenner. CMKBD, is shown above – complete with crown molding and columns.

Whether you need space for a painting studio, custom furniture for triplets or custom storage for your wine collection, visit the talented designers at Morris Black. They love a challenge!

As part of our continuing improvements, Morris Black Designs recently installed a new display at our LehighValley showroom, highlighting KraftMaid One cabinetry. The hutch is designed in Maple with a Glenmoor door style in “Allspice” stain, and features dual glass mullion wall cabinetry with strip LED lighting to highlight our imaginary homeowner’s collection of small sculptures. Between the wall cabinets is a display recess with a beadbaord back panel in Maple with “Meringue” paint.

The base features multiple pull-outs so you can see the pullout options and choose which will work best for you. This display also features a brand-new countertop product: Formica’s FX laminate (yes, that’s actually not granite) with an Ogee edge. The matching consultation table in the foreground has the same laminate “River Gold Etchings” with a square edge.

The display was designed by Suzanne Joseph, NCIDQ. She or any Morris Black designer will be happy to show you this and all the other displays, all designed to make envisioning your remodeling project easy. Stop by weekdays, or Thursday nights until 8 pm, or from 9 to 2 on Saturdays.

Here’s the perfect place to prepare for the day, or wind down at night –

a beautiful master bath at a model home for Sterling Crossing in lower Nazareth. Morris Black Designer Craig Collins created this restful oasis that includes a walk-in shower, makeup table and double vanity.

The vanity is KraftMaid cabinetry: Glenmoor door style in Brie finish. The countertop is unusual – a new cultured marble top with a matte finish that mimics solid surfaces – done here in 1 and ½ inch with an Ogee edge, and paired with white integrated undermount sinks and a 4 inch matching backsplash. Peek into the mirror, and you’ll see the matching makeup table, with seven drawers to hold cosmetics.

When you’re ready for a fresh, new start to your busy day, drop by the Morris Black Designs showroom and talk to us about remodeling your bath.

Visit this model home at 4583 Steuben Rd, Bethlehem, PS. For more information, contact Sterling Crossing